The military parade commenced with the resounding beats of drums, as trombones and trumpets melodiously played familiar tunes. The honor guard, proudly bearing red 4D flags, marched forward, their ancient sabers gleaming rather than the usual tactical vests worn by frontline troops. Following closely were cavalrymen atop majestic white horses, their g43 rifles slung across their backs—a weapon famous worldwide and the catalyst for the mass production of the American M1 rifles.
Behind the cavalry, a procession of off-road convertibles carried German soldiers clad in pristine uniforms, fresh from their rapid advancements in the recently concluded battle in Poland. These soldiers, advancing dozens of kilometers daily, had captured the world's attention, earning them the moniker "mechanical cavalry" in many newspapers. Trucks laden with supplies and German infantry followed, along with a variety of field artillery ranging from 75mm to 150mm calibers, all designed for rapid deployment alongside mechanized troops.
The crowd then marveled at the sight of No. 3 assault guns, No. 3 tanks, and Leopard tanks rolling past. These tanks, which had demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in the Polish campaign, were lauded by the head of state as the monarchs of marine warfare. Their prowess had been crucial in the swift defeat of Poland, the first military power in Eastern Europe, allowing the German forces to advance at an unprecedented pace.
As the armored forces moved past, the military band shifted to a less familiar melody, prompting the armored soldiers to join in song—a victory anthem unique to them:
"Whether facing storms or snowflakes,
Still the sun smiles at us;
Fiery day, cold night, dust blowing,
But we enjoy this kind of fun,
We enjoy this kind of fun.
Our tank roared forward,
With the dust."
The Polish citizens observing the parade saw in the young men in black tank uniforms a boundless self-confidence, born from their recent overwhelming victory where 1.35 million Polish soldiers were captured or killed, costing Germany only 8,923 lives.
"When the enemy's tank showed signs,
We increase the throttle to move forward at full speed!
The value of our lives,
Fighting for our glorious army!
To die for Germany is the highest honor!
With a thunderous engine,
We rushed towards the enemy like lightning behind the solid armor plate."
Most German soldiers had already left Warsaw, carrying rifles and suitcases, their uniforms dusty and worn, yet exuding a calm and seasoned aura. Their sleeves rolled up and beards untrimmed, they marched alongside mixed-breed horses laden with tents, raincoats, and ammunition. As vehicles towing cannons sped past, these infantrymen exchanged waves and smiles with their comrades—a testament to their camaraderie and resilience.
These were the common German infantry, who, despite lacking the glamorous medals of the air force and armored forces, steadfastly held their positions wherever the head of state needed them most, faithfully upholding their oaths even at great personal cost.
As they marched, the soldiers listened to the tank crews singing:
"Move forward with comrades,
Fight side by side,
That's why we can dive deep into the enemy's (tank) queue!
Facing the so-called barrier of the enemy,
We give contemptuous mocking,
Then simply bypass;
If in the yellow sand in front,
Hidden by the threat of artillery,
We will find our own way,
Jump on the path to victory!"
In the stands, General Guderian spoke with Admiral Klug, the future commander of the German troops on the Eastern Front:
"The troops that should be honored here most are now advancing towards the Eastern Defense Line. The recruits who had been on the battlefield got their way forward and did not know whose idea."
"The Propaganda Department will not miss any chance to expand our army's influence, so such a grand celebration ceremony is also due," Admiral Klug responded with a smile, adding, "I have heard that the head of state is planning to promote Admiral Brauchitsch to become marshal of the empire... really?"
"This news should be true. I heard that it was a direct message from the headquarters. I heard that Commander Brauchitsch was crying with excitement. Marshal, I think it's boiling blood," Guderian replied with a chuckle.
Klug smiled, "With the head's respect for the general, the days of conferring the rank of marshal must not be far away."
As their conversation continued, the parade neared its conclusion. The last song of the armored march still echoed across the square:
"If we are abandoned by the goddess of destiny,
If we cannot return to our hometown from now on,
If the bullet ends our lives,
If we are in danger,
At least our faithful tank,
Will give us a steel coffin!"
Meanwhile, far from Berlin, the head of state, Akado Rudolph, dressed in a black SS military uniform, stood solemnly at the forefront of a mourning ceremony. Since the passing of Carl Benz, Akado had established a private healthcare system for elderly contributors, yet despite advancements, some losses were irreplaceable, such as Hugo Junkers, a key designer of the long-range multi-purpose aircraft relied upon by Akado.
Under Junkers' guidance, distinctive and practical military aircraft like the ju-87 Stuka dive bomber and the ju-52 transport aircraft had been developed, the latter proving its worth with stable flight performance and low fuel consumption. The head of state had ordered the production of 4,500 such aircraft, reassured by Catherine's confidence in the Air Force's ability to secure the skies.
Reflecting on the unchangeable nature of certain events, Akado felt a mix of frustration and resignation. He had once feared becoming another Hitler, doomed to a panic-stricken end. But now, he resolved to follow the current path: either becoming a revered founding emperor or a reviled warmonger—his legacy, whether infamous or virtuous, was assured.
After the eulogy, Akado hurriedly departed, his mind preoccupied with pressing state matters. In the car, he instructed his secretary, Sindra, to ensure regular health checks for another key contributor, Mr. Auguste, determined to prevent further untimely losses.
"Look for the best doctor and give them another salary with the head of state allowance, let them check the body for Mr. Auguste every other week! I don't want this kind of accident to happen again, understand?" Akado directed, his tone tinged with regret.
"Observe! My head!" Sindra responded promptly.
"There is one more thing. In the afternoon, help me call Studente and ask about the progress of the expansion of the paratroopers. Our time is running out. Everything needs to be hurried," Akado added.
"I remember!" Sindra affirmed.
As they arrived at the palace of the head of state, Akado's mood lightened at the sight of a car with a landing army license plate. Today, he would promote the commander-in-chief of the army, Brauchitsch, to Marshal of the Empire—a decision that filled him with pride. His forces had swept through Poland and repelled France's provocation in just 20 days. With Germany united and prepared for the impending war of hegemony, Akado felt a historical parallel with Hitler in 1940, yet he was determined to carve his own distinct path in history.